Radio Cadena Agramonte emisiora de Camagüey
Havana, Jan 26. - Today's schedule of the Cuban baseball postseason opens its doors as a definitive threshold, where the Artemisa Hunters can write their name in the semifinals.
At the 26 de Julio stadium, the disciples of Yulieski González will once again wield their bats like spears in search of the final blow against the Holguín Puppies, with the series led three wins to one and the stands turned into a fortress.
Yesterday, the Artemisa squad survived a relentless battle by prevailing 12-10, after manufacturing seven runs in the fourth inning—a torrent that shook the foundations of the ballpark and shifted the course of the duel.
Run-scoring doubles by Dayán García and José Antonio Jiménez, along with a home run by Osbel Pacheco, marked the offensive rebellion against starter Wilson Paredes. From the mound, Yankiel Pérez held the lead with iron composure, and the eternal José Ángel García closed the game with authority, recording another save to reaffirm his reign in that category.
Meanwhile, in Santa Clara, the reigning champion Las Tunas Lumberjacks will try to put the series at match point against the Villa Clara Leopards, after leveling the matchup yesterday with a crushing 9-1 victory at the Augusto César Sandino stadium.
The Tunas bats roared like thunder: home runs by Yudier Rondón and Maykel Molina, each driving in three runs, backed the performance of Yosmel Garcés, who pitched eight innings with just one earned run.
Yesterday, the Matanzas Crocodiles already crossed the threshold of the chosen ones by completing the sweep over the Sancti Spíritus Roosters, with an 8-4 victory at the José Antonio Huelga stadium. Two home runs by Hanyelo Videt and the work from the mound by Shaiel Cruz, who pitched six innings with only one earned run, were key in the game.
Also yesterday, Industriales took a giant step toward the next stage by defeating the Mayabeque Hurricanes 8-4 and taking a 3-2 lead in the series. A two-run home run by Yaser Julio González in the seventh inning changed the momentum of the clash, and a cluster of four runs in the eighth sealed the blue victory. Today both squads rest, and the battle will continue tomorrow at the Nelson Fernández stadium in San José de Las Lajas.
Thus, with Matanzas already installed at the heights, Artemisa and Las Tunas play today against the clock and history, on a day where every pitch can be a verdict and every hit, an open door to paradise or silence. (Source: Prensa Latina)
